Under Pressure

Earlier this year I have watched an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, "5 things you should do in 2011". One of them was: Know your numbers. I don't really know what exactly causes high blood pressure, if it is the weight, the stress, the diet. I only know it is a hazard to your life. "Blood pressure below 120 over 80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) is considered optimal for adults."

Today a bumble bee visited my window box and after digging in the flowers (it was excited to find this great yellow flower in bloom), the bumble bee took a warming bath in the sun and did not want to leave. It was just resting there. The image of the bumble bee sitting on the flower that I planted last winter was on my mind today. A nice image.

When I got layed off age 30, shortly before the company went bancrupt, I said to myself "I am glad this does not happen when I am age 50 for the first time. If it will ever happen again, I will be prepared. I believe you develop a kind of emotional immune system over the years so experiences can't hit and hurt you as badly when they happen 2nd or 3rd time around.

You can tell from the photo I took this evening, spring arrived (men wearing shorts).

I have spent a lot of time in hospitals lately, my mum had an operation today. After returning back home from the ICU I said to myself: "I am thankful this happens now for the first time now, age 38 and not in an earlier stage of my life" - looking after my mother at the ICU* ... and being in charge at least for a few hours a day to disburden my father as much as possible since he isn't the youngest man anymore.

Friend T from Japan said to today me " Take care!" She is right, I should not forget looking after myself, too. The image of the bumble bee somehow helps me. Preparing a brioche-dough helps, too.

Another way of taking care - besides eating and resting would be this:
This morning I had a doctor's appointment, for my regular pap-test, twice a year. My sister hasn't taken on over 2 years. You got to know this: cancer cells can develop out of the blue within half a year, year, so go ladies and get your pap-test ... NOW**! In Austria the health insurance covers the test twice a year, in other countries probably less often, but once a year is the minimum. (no, my mum does not have cancer)

Enjoy your weekend and take care :-)


*unfortunately the nurses are not as attentive as we wish they would be. :-(

**ok, friday afternoon or saturday might not the best time. So call the doctor next week. Write it down in your agenda for next monday: "Call the doctor/ pap-test!"